Multi-level air gap formation in dual-damascene structure

ABSTRACT

An upper layer is formed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer. The upper layer comprises a plurality of metal interconnects and one or more upper layer air gaps positioned between adjacent metal interconnects. A lower layer is formed in the first ILD layer. The lower layer comprises one or more vias, and one or more lower air gaps positioned between adjacent vias. The upper layer and the lower layer are formed in accordance with a dual-damascene process.

BACKGROUND

Integrated circuits (ICs or chips) are manufactured or fabricated in aseries of stages, including a front-end-of-line (FEOL) stage,middle-of-line (MOL) stage and back-end-of-line (BEOL) stage. The FEOL,MOL and BEOL stages constitute the process flow for fabricating modernchips. Generally, FEOL stage processes include wafer preparation,isolation, well formation, gate patterning, spacer, extension andsource/drain implantation, silicide formation and liner formation. TheFEOL stage is where elements (e.g., transistors, capacitors, resistors,etc.) are patterned in the semiconductor. The MOL stage is responsiblefor gate contact (CA) formation. For example, metal interconnects may bedeposited during the MOL stage to connect the elements patterned duringthe FEOL portion.

Metal interconnects (conductors) are typically formed from aluminum(Al), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), tungsten (W) or ruthenium (Ru). Additivepatterning processes have been developed in order to from the metalinterconnects during IC fabrication. One such additive patterningprocess is generally referred to as a damascene process. In a damasceneprocess, the underlying insulating layer (e.g., silicon oxide layer) ispatterned with open trenches where the conductor will be formed. A thickcoating of metal is deposited to overfill the trenches, and a subsequentprocess (e.g., chemical-mechanical planarization or CMP) is used toremove the excess metal extending over the top of the insulating layer.In a single-damascene process, a single trench is formed and filled withmetal per each damascene stage. However, a dual-damascene process may beused to form and fill a trench and an underlying via at the same time(i.e., in the same damascene stage). Accordingly, the metal remainingafter performing the damascene process becomes the patterned conductor.

One or more air gaps may be formed within an insulating (or dielectric)layer of the IC during the fabrication process to reduce capacitivecoupling between adjacent interconnects, and to reduce capacitiveloading that may affect signal propagation delays.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide multi-level air gap formation techniques for animproved dual-damascene process and semiconductor structure.

In one embodiment, an upper layer is formed in a first interlayerdielectric (ILD) layer. The upper layer comprises a plurality of metalinterconnects and one or more upper layer air gaps positioned betweenadjacent metal interconnects. A lower layer is formed in the first ILDlayer. The lower layer comprises one or more vias, and one or more lowerlayer air gaps positioned between adjacent vias.

By way of example, the one or more lower layer air gaps may be formedwithin one or more respective dielectric regions. Furthermore, the oneor more dielectric regions may be comprised of a low-k dielectricmaterial.

Other embodiments include without limitation methods, apparatus,systems, semiconductor devices, and integrated circuits.

These and other exemplary embodiments of the invention will be describedin or become apparent from the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a first-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a second-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a third-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a fourth-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1E is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a fifth-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1F is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a sixth-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1G is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a seventh-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1H is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at an eighth-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1I is a schematic cross-sectional side view a portion of asemiconductor structure at a ninth-intermediate dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication stage, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In illustrative embodiments, techniques are provided for dual-damasceneinterconnect fabrication in a semiconductor structure. Moreparticularly, illustrative embodiments provide techniques for formingair gaps in both upper and lower levels (multi-level) of a semiconductorstructure during the same dual-damascene process. Among otheradvantages, such air gaps reduce capacitive coupling between adjacentinterconnects in the semiconductor structure, and reduce capacitiveloading that may affect signal propagation delays in the semiconductorstructure.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that embodiments discussed hereinare not limited to the particular materials, features, and processingsteps shown and described herein. In particular, with respect toformation (fabricating or processing) steps, it is to be emphasized thatthe descriptions provided herein are not intended to encompass all ofthe steps that may be used to form a functional integrated circuitdevice. Rather, certain steps that are commonly used in forming suchdevices are purposefully not described herein for economy ofdescription.

Moreover, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout thedrawings to denote the same or similar features, elements, layers,regions, or structures, and thus, a detailed explanation of the same orsimilar features, elements, layers, regions, or structures will not berepeated for each of the drawings. It is to be understood that the terms“about,” “approximately” or “substantially” as used herein with regardto thicknesses, widths, percentages, ranges, etc., are meant to denotebeing close or approximate to, but not exactly. For example, the term“about” or “substantially” as used herein implies that a margin of erroris present. The margin of error depends on the application-specificmetric that is being described. In one example, 1% or less may representa reasonable margin of error. However, in another case, 5-15% could bean appropriate margin of error. The main point is that it depends on themetric and the specific application of the metric. Also, in the figures,the illustrated scale of one layer, structure, and/or region relative toanother layer, structure, and/or region is not necessarily intended torepresent actual scale.

An exemplary process for forming air gaps within a dielectric layer isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,697, entitled “AdvancedManganese/Manganese Nitride Cap/Etch Mask for Air Gap Formation Schemein Nanocopper Low-K Interconnect,” which is commonly owned andincorporated by reference herein. Prior art attempts at air gapformation have been limited to forming air gaps in a single-damascenelevel, for example, at a metal-1 level, but not capable of forming themalso at a via-1 or metal-2 level. Additionally, prior art attempts atair gap formation have formed air gaps in an upper level ofsemiconductor structure formed using a dual-damascene process, forexample, at the metal-2 level, but are not capable of forming them alsoat the via-1 level.

Embodiments of the invention provide improved air gap formationtechniques by enabling the formation of air gaps in both the upper andlower levels of a semiconductor structure formed using a dual-damasceneprocess (also referred to herein as a “dual-damascene structure”).Specifically, illustrative embodiments enable air gaps to beincorporated in both the via portion of the dual-damascene structure andthe upper metal interconnect portion during middle-of-line (MOL)processing.

With reference to FIG. 1A, structure 100 is provided to illustrateexemplary contact patterning at a via level of a dual-damascene process.Structure 100 may be referred to as a dual-damascene structure. Notethat the same reference numeral (100) is used to denote thedual-damascene structure through the various intermediate fabricationstages illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1I. Note also that semiconductorstructure 100 can also be considered to be a semiconductor device and/oran integrated circuit, or some part thereof.

As shown, structure 100 includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer102. In one embodiment, ILD layer 102 is comprised of a “low-k”dielectric material. For example, a low-k dielectric material is amaterial that has a dielectric constant that is about 3.9 or less.Examples of low-k dielectric materials include, but are not limited to,dense or porous organosilicates, silsequioxanes, undoped silicate glass(USG), fluorosilicate glass (FSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG),hydrogenated oxidized silicon carbon (SiCOH), and compounds such asSiCNO and SiNO. ILD layer 102 may be formed by, for example, chemicalvapor deposition (CVD), thermal and plasma assisted atomic layerdeposition (ALD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) orspin coating. In one embodiment, one or more transistor devices areformed in MD layer 102 during a front end of line (FEOL) process.

Within ILD layer 102, caps 108 are formed over gate regions 106,source/drain contact regions 110, and barrier lines 112. Barrier lines112 function to isolate gate regions 106 from source/drain contactregions 110. Source/drain contact regions 110 may be formed, forexample, by utilizing a plug, after which the surface of ILD layer 102is planarized. In one embodiment, the plug is a tungsten plug, and thesurface of ILD layer 102 is planarized utilizing tungsten chemicalmechanical polishing (WCMP). It is to be understood that the number ofgate regions, caps, source/drain contact regions, and barrier linesshown in the figures is purely exemplary, and should not be consideredlimiting.

Following the planarization process, a second dielectric layer, i.e.,ILD layer 104, is deposited. In one embodiment, ILD layer 104 iscomprised of a low-k dielectric material (which can be the same orsimilar material as illustratively described above for ILD layer 102).As shown in FIG. 1A, via portions including via portion 114 in ILD layer104 are defined at the via level of the dual-damascene structure.Accordingly, FIG. 1A illustrates a structure at a step in the formationof the semiconductor structure after completion of the patterning of thesource/drain contacts.

With reference to FIG. 1B, an exemplary step of filling of the patternedcontacts of structure 100 with sacrificial material is shown. As shown,sacrificial material 116 is deposited into the via portions 114 of thestructure. The sacrificial material 116 functions as a placeholder tomaintain structural integrity during further processing. In oneembodiment, sacrificial material 116 is an organic material, e.g., anorganic planarizing layer (OPL) or amorphous carbon (amorphous-C). Inanother embodiment, sacrificial material 116 is an inorganic material.For example, sacrificial material 116 may be a metal such as cobalt (Co)or aluminum (Al).

With reference to FIG. 1C, an exemplary step of defining of an air gapregion within structure 100 is shown. As shown, structure 100 includesetch mask 118 deposited along the top of ILD layer 104. The depositionof etch mask 118 defines an etching region. Etch mask 118 is comprisedof a material that provides resistance to an etching processes forremoving material, e.g., wet etching, dry (plasma) etching, etc. Theparticular etching process and etchant used is based on the materialbeing etched away, as is known in the art. Thus, etch mask 118 isselected to protect select regions of structure 100 from the particularetchant being implemented in the etching process.

In one embodiment, etch mask 118 is comprised of a “soft” mask material,such as a resist (e.g., photoresist). In another embodiment, etch mask118 is comprised of a “hard” mask material. A hard mask materialprovides etch resistance to plasma etchants, such as oxygen rich plasmaor halogen rich plasma. Hard mask materials may be categorized intoorganic and inorganic types. Various types of etch mask materials, aswell as processes for depositing an etch mask in accordance with theembodiments described herein, are known in the art and furtherdiscussion thereof will not be provided herein.

With reference to FIG. 1D, an exemplary step of removing dielectric fromthe ILD layer of structure 100 is shown. As shown, structure 100includes ILD layers 102 and 104, etch mask 118 and dielectric openings120. Dielectric openings 120 are formed in the area defined by etch mask118 by an etching process to remove dielectric material within ILD layer104. In one embodiment, the dielectric removal may be extended into thecontact level of ILD layer 102. Etching processes for removing thedielectric material to form the openings in accordance with theembodiments described herein are known in the art, and a furtherdiscussion thereof will not be provided herein.

With reference to FIG. 1E, an exemplary step of forming air gaps withinthe ILD layer of structure 100 is shown. As shown, the etch mask 118 hasbeen removed from the structure, and dielectric 122 is deposited tosubstantially fill the dielectric openings 120. Due to overfilling,dielectric 122 may additionally cover at least a portion of the top ofILD layer 104. In one embodiment, dielectric 122 is comprised of a low-kdielectric material.

As further shown in FIG. 1E, air gaps are formed within portions of thedielectric deposited in the openings that were formed during the etchingprocess described in FIG. ID, such as air gap 124. Air gap 124 may becomprised of a gas from the ambient air, or may be comprised of an inertgas, e.g., nitrogen gas, helium, etc. In one embodiment, air gap 124 hasa k value less than or equal to about 1.5.

For example, the air gaps shown in FIG. 1E, such as air gap 124, may beformed via a single-step dielectric deposition process or a two-stepdielectric deposition process. In the single-step deposition process, anair gap is formed with a specific thickness and conformality associatedwith a single dielectric deposition. Thus, the single-step dielectricdeposition process does not necessarily provide for adjusting the heightof air gaps and controlling the shape and/or dimensions of the air gaps.

However, the two-step dielectric deposition process provides increasedflexibility over the single-step deposition process with respect toheight adjustment and shape and/or dimension control. The first step ofthe two-step dielectric deposition process is providing an ultrathinconformal dielectric deposition (e.g., a dielectric deposition having athickness of about 1-10 nanometers (nm) and a conformality greater thanor equal to about 70%) to form a protective sidewall layer. The secondstep of the two-step dielectric deposition process is providing athicker non-conformal dielectric deposition (e.g., a dielectricdeposition having a thickness of about 3-100 nm having a conformalityless than or equal to about 40%) to pinch off the top surface to formthe air gaps. The height of an air gap having a specific opening andaspect ratio is adjusted by varying the thickness and/or conformality ofthe dielectric deposition(s). Accordingly, the height of the air gapsmay be adjusted by thickness and/or conformal modulation.

With reference to FIG. 1F, an exemplary step of removing the sacrificialmaterial 116 from structure 100 is shown. As shown, the top layer of thedielectric material is removed, thereby leaving the portions of thedielectric deposited in the openings, such as dielectric 122 havingembedded air gap 124. Processes for removing dielectric material inaccordance with the embodiments described herein are known in the art.For example the top layer of the dielectric material may be removed by achemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, and then the remainingdielectric material may be selectively removed by an etching process(e.g., wet etching or dry (plasma) etching) to recess the remainingdielectric material to a specific height above the air gaps.

As further shown in FIG. 1F, the sacrificial material 116 is alsoremoved, leaving via portions that include via portion 126. As mentionedabove, the sacrificial material 116 may be comprised of an organicmaterial or inorganic material. If the sacrificial material 116 iscomprised of an organic material, a dry etch process, such as a reactiveion etching (RIE) process, may be utilized to remove the sacrificialmaterial 116. If the sacrificial material 116 is comprised of aninorganic material (e.g., metallic), a wet etch process may be utilizedto remove the sacrificial material 116. Processes for removingsacrificial material in accordance with the embodiments described hereinare known in the art, and a further discussion thereof will not beprovided herein.

With reference to FIG. 1G, an exemplary metal patterning step performedon structure 100 is shown. Region 128 shown in FIG. 1G results fromperforming metal layer patterning along the upper layer of ILD 104. Inone embodiment, the metal layer patterning comprises an etching of theupper surface of ILD layer 104 and upper portions of the dielectricmaterial 122. The metal layer patterning allows for metal deposition tosubsequently be performed to complete a MOL structure.

With reference to FIG. 1H, an exemplary step of metal depositionperformed on structure 100 is shown. As shown, metal interconnect 130 isformed within region 128 that resulted from the etching processdescribed above in FIG. 1G. In one embodiment, forming metalinterconnect 130 comprises depositing Cu to substantially fill theregion. In the illustrative embodiment, metal interconnect 130 iscoupled to source/drain contact regions 110. Each section ofinterconnect 130 is separated from an adjacent section by portions ofdielectric material 122 having embedded air gaps, such as air gap 124,resulting in a reduction in gate to source capacitance (CGS). Additionalmetal interconnects, such as interconnects 132 and 134, may be formed bydepositing Cu within the upper surface of ILD layer 104. In oneembodiment, the additional metal interconnects 132 and 134 are formedsimultaneously with the formation of metal interconnect 130. However,the additional metal interconnects 132 and 132 may be formed subsequentto the formation of metal interconnect 130. After the metal isdeposited, excess metal is removed from the surface of ILD layer 104. Inone embodiment, a CMP process is utilized to remove the excess metal.

With reference to FIG. 1I, an exemplary step that may be performed on acompleted MOL structure is shown. As shown, structure 100 includes metalinterconnects 130, 132 and 134. A second air gap formation process isperformed to form air gaps between interconnects 130, 132 and 134 tofurther reduce capacitance coupling (e.g., air gap 136). As discussedabove with reference to FIG. 1E, the second air gap formation processmay be a single-step deposition process or a two-step depositionprocess. In one embodiment, the second air gap formation process isperformed after the deposition of the additional metal interconnects 132and 134.

It is to be understood that the various layers and/or regions shown inthe accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, and that one or morelayers and/or regions of a type commonly used in complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), fin field-effect transistor (FinFET),metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and/or othersemiconductor devices may not be explicitly shown in a given drawing.This does not imply that the layers and/or regions not explicitly shownare omitted from the actual devices. In addition, certain elements maybe left out of particular views for the sake of clarity and/orsimplicity when explanations are not necessarily focused on the omittedelements. Moreover, the same or similar reference numbers usedthroughout the drawings are used to denote the same or similar features,elements, or structures, and thus, a detailed explanation of the same orsimilar features, elements, or structures will not be repeated for eachof the drawings.

It is to be understood that the methods discussed herein for fabricatingsemiconductor structures can be incorporated within semiconductorprocessing flows for fabricating other types of semiconductor devicesand integrated circuits with various analog and digital circuitry ormixed-signal circuitry. In particular, integrated circuit dies can befabricated with various devices such as transistors, diodes, capacitors,inductors, etc. An integrated circuit in accordance with embodiments canbe employed in applications, hardware, and/or electronic systems.Suitable hardware and systems for implementing the invention mayinclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, communicationnetworks, electronic commerce systems, portable communications devices(e.g., cell phones), solid-state media storage devices, functionalcircuitry, etc. Systems and hardware incorporating such integratedcircuits are considered part of the embodiments described herein.

Furthermore, various layers, regions, and/or structures described abovemay be implemented in integrated circuits (chips). The resultingintegrated circuit chips can be distributed by the fabricator in rawwafer form (that is, as a single wafer that has multiple unpackagedchips), as a bare die, or in a packaged form. In the latter case, thechip is mounted in a single chip package (such as a plastic carrier,with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher levelcarrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramic carrier that haseither or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections). Inany case, the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuitelements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a)an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or (b) an end product.The end product can be any product that includes integrated circuitchips, ranging from toys and other low-end applications to advancedcomputer products having a display, a keyboard or other input device,and a central processor.

Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that variousother changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming a semiconductor structurecomprising steps of: forming an upper layer in a first interlayerdielectric (ILD) layer, wherein forming the upper layer in the first ILDlayer comprises: forming a plurality of metal interconnects; and formingone or more upper layer air gaps positioned between adjacent metalinterconnects; forming a lower layer in the first ILD layer, whereinforming the lower layer in the first layer comprises forming one or morelower layer air gaps positioned between adjacent vias formed within thelower layer; forming a second ILD layer prior to forming the first ILDlayer; embedding one or more components in the second ILD layer, whereinthe one or more components comprise: one or more gate regions, one ormore caps, one or more source/drain contact regions, and one or morebarrier lines, wherein each cap is positioned in physical contact with arespective gate region.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a given one ofthe one or more lower layer air gaps is comprised of ambient air.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a given one of the one or more lower layerair gaps is comprised of an inert gas.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe inert gas comprises one of nitrogen and helium.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more lower layer air gaps are formed withinone or more respective dielectric regions.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the one or more dielectric regions are comprised of a low-kdielectric material.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second ILDlayer is formed via one of chemical vapor deposition, atomic layerdeposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and spin coating.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more components compriseone or more contacts.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second ILDlayer is comprised of a low-k dielectric material.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more lower layer air gaps are formed withinone or more respective dielectric regions, and wherein the one or moredielectric regions are positioned in physical contact with the one ormore caps, respectively.
 11. A method for forming a semiconductorstructure comprising steps of: forming an upper layer in a firstinterlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, wherein forming the upper layer inthe first layer comprises: forming a plurality of metal interconnects;and forming one or more upper layer air gaps positioned between adjacentmetal interconnects; and forming a lower layer in the first ILD layer,wherein forming the lower layer in the first ILD layer comprises formingone or more lower layer air gaps positioned between adjacent vias formedwithin the lower layer; forming a second ILD layer prior to forming thefirst ILD layer; embedding one or more components in the second ILDlayer, wherein the one or more components comprise: one or more gateregions, one or more caps, and one or more barrier lines, wherein eachcap is positioned in physical contact with a respective gate region. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein a given one of the one or more lowerlayer air gaps is comprised of ambient air.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein a given one of the one or more lower layer air gaps is comprisedof an inert gas.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inert gascomprises one of nitrogen and helium.
 15. The method of claim 11,wherein the one or more lower layer air gaps are formed within one ormore respective dielectric regions.
 16. A method for forming asemiconductor structure comprising steps of: forming an upper layer in afirst interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, wherein forming the upper layerin the first ILD layer comprises: forming a plurality of metalinterconnects; and forming one or more upper layer air gaps positionedbetween adjacent metal interconnects; and forming a lower layer in thefirst ILD layer, wherein forming the lower layer in the first ILD layercomprises forming one or more lower layer air gaps positioned betweenadjacent vias formed within the lower layer, wherein the second ILDlayer is formed via one of chemical vapor deposition, atomic layerdeposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and spin coating;forming a second ILD layer prior to forming the first MD layer;embedding one or more components in the second ILD layer, wherein theone or more components comprise: one or more gate regions, one or morecaps, one or more source/drain contact regions and one or more barrierlines, wherein each cap is positioned in physical contact with arespective gate region.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a given oneof the one or more lower layer air gaps is comprised of ambient air. 18.The method of claim 16, wherein a given one of the one or more lowerlayer air gaps is comprised of an inert gas.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the inert gas comprises one of nitrogen and helium.
 20. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the one or more lower layer air gaps areformed within one or more respective dielectric regions.